NADEC Lays Foundation Stone for SAR 2 Bln Intensive Livestock Farming Project

The National Agricultural Development Company (NADEC) announced on Sunday the laying of the foundation stone for the intensive livestock farming (sheep and goats) and meat production project for Al Raie National Livestock Company (a subsidiary). The project was held in the Hail region under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Saad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Governor of Hail Region, and in the presence of His Excellency the Minister of Environment, Water and Agriculture, Eng. Abdulrahman bin Abdulmohsen Al-Fadley, and a number of representatives from government agencies and the private sector.

The Company stated in a statement that this project is one of the largest national projects in the livestock sector for Al Raie National Livestock Company, a 51% subsidiary of NADEC, in partnership with Al Muhaidib Group. The project aims to establish integrated sheep and goat breeding facilities using the latest technologies. This will contribute to increasing local red meat production, reducing dependence on imports, empowering small farmers and achieving sector sustainability, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

The total investment value of the project is approximately SAR 2 billion, including government funding of approximately SAR 1.1 billion from the Agricultural Development Fund (ADF), reflecting its economic and strategic importance to the Kingdom’s food sector. The project’s production capacity is expected to reach one million heads of sheep annually by 2030.

The ceremony also witnessed the signing of three Memoranda of Understanding (MoU) between Al Raie National Livestock Company and:

– University of Hail, with the aim of collaborating in training male and female students and preparing them for the labour market, supporting research projects and consulting studies, exchanging scientific expertise, organising joint events and implementing community responsibility programmes;

– Sulaiman Al-Rajhi Foundation for Development Finance, to support productive families and implement projects related to leather and wool, jointly market products and services, organise workshops and scientific events, exchange technical expertise and implement social responsibility programmes; and

– Entag Association for Productive Families in Hail, to cooperate in supporting programmes and initiatives, provide services and consultations, provide training opportunities for target groups, organise joint scientific events, enhance the exchange of expertise and implement social responsibility programmes.

NADEC added that these agreements aim to maximise the developmental and social impact of the project and support economic and environmental sustainability in the Hail region and the Kingdom as a whole.